Empowering Women of Jahai Tribe – Gender Equality and Sustainable Development in Royal Belum State Park

The various forms of gender discrimination have led UiTM researchers to spearhead a ground-breaking discovery on gender dynamics within indigenous communities, focusing on the pivotal role of Jahai tribe women in Royal Belum State Park as the custodians of culture, language, and beliefs. It is universally imperative for women to enjoy equal rights and opportunities in economic, social, and environmental realms while being protected from violence and discrimination, making the investigation of the contributions made by the Jahai women to sustainable development equally crucial. Without women empowerment and gender equality serving as a barometer (Bayeh, 2016) for sustainable development, the objective will be impossible to realise. Empowering women and attaining gender equality is vital in propelling economic, social, political, and environmental progress. While the preconceived notions of female subordination to men and cultural inferiority have propagated among the Orang Asli community in Malaysia (Baer, 2006), it has simultaneously permeated the non-Orang Asli’s beliefs, subjecting the indigenous women to various challenges. This study employed a mixed-method approach through interviews and surveys to uncover the roles and contributions of Jahai women while seeking alternatives to empowering them and providing fresh perspectives on their significance to the state park. New goals can be implemented within the community by integrating gender equality principles that can leverage their contributions to the region’s sustainable development advancement.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/370169150_Jahai_Voices_ of_Malaysia_Exploring_Indigenous_Women_Empowerment_and_Sustainable_ Development_in_the_Royal_Belum_State_Park

 

Women in Business and Social Commerce – Creating Social Channels for Rural Pastry Products

In the past few decades, woman entrepreneurs in Malaysia have increased and significantly contributed to Malaysian economy development. The forced measure of limiting disposition for social interaction and movement against COVID-19 has a long-term impact on their businesses. Implementation of the “Stay at Home” policy has altered the operations of urban businesses on social commerce while utilising the mobile delivery marketplace. While urban consumers have turned to online retailers, a small group of rural women entrepreneurs with enterprises of patisserie products were scrambling to sustain their business. Though changes are imminent, they were unprepared to neither adapt nor respond to the changes in future consumer behaviour, especially with the universal brick-and-mortar business model. A group of UiTM researchers took this opportunity to explore these women entrepreneurs’ readiness to shift their businesses to social media while providing insights on the longterm opportunity social commerce entrepreneurial can offer. Women entrepreneurs must think outside the box and be equipped to help them reach customers via social selling as digital transformation is becoming more crucial post-COVID-19. Understanding their readiness to adopt social commerce for their businesses could provide vital implications and guidance for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) policymakers and practitioners to help build local and rural business resilience to impending crises.

Building Resilience for Business Success Among Home–Based Women Entrepreneurs

Aspiring for financial independence and contributing to family income, many women opt for home-based businesses due to family considerations while advancing the cause of gender equality. Women in Malaysia owned 20.6% of SMEs, even though the figure is lower than other ASEAN countries, it is steadily rising and indicating their potential to thrive in the market. Prior research highlights that women entrepreneurs are resourceful in ensuring business success, but often encounter challenges like lack of financial knowledge and entrepreneurial skills that could hinder business expansion. UiTM researchers explored the women entrepreneurs’ difficulties in financial resource management and identified critical factors that influence their business success and resilience in a competitive market. The study was conducted among small-scale home-based women entrepreneurs in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur through interviews and surveys. The data provided insights to guide them in making informed decisions for business success, simultaneously realising the government’s agenda in the 11th Malaysian Plan by 2020, advancing gender equality and empowering women in entrepreneurship.

https://medic.upm.edu.my/upload/dokumen/ 2021062107381941_2020_1216.pdf

UiTM Kindergarten and Nursery – Tadika an Taman Asuhan Kanak-Kanak UiTM

UiTM Kindergarten and Nursery – Tadika dan Taman Asuhan Kanak-Kanak (TTA) UiTM – was established on August 15, 1978 as a testament to the university’s commitment to community development. Initiated by UiTM’s Academic Staff Union (MITASA), it serves a triple purpose. First, to be a haven for the children of UiTM staff and for them to entrust the facility while serving the university and reinforcing gender equality by aiding both parents in balancing their professional and familiar responsibilities Second, to create an environment to nurture natural interest in children, preparing them for formal education and fostering love for learning while eliminating gender disparities that benefits all children. Lastly, to offer affordable quality care and education for equal access to children of UiTM. TTA UiTM plays a pivotal role in championing gender equality and empowering communities to reach their full potential.

https://ttauitm.uitm.edu.my/v2/

 

UiTM PEWANI Celebrates Orphans

Ustazah Solehah Saiful Rashid initiated a Ramadhan fundraiser through UiTM Women’s Association (PEWANI) with a total of RM 2,000.00 donated for 17 orphans (aged 5 to 16) at the Asyura Charity Nursing Home aiming to bring joy and support to the orphans for the upcoming Eid celebration.

 

Number of Dean (2020 - 2022)
by Gender

 

Number of Rectors (2020 - 2022)
by Gender

 

Number of Directors (2020 - 2022)
by Gender

 

Unravelling Barriers To Women’s Social Participation in NGOs – Insights from Sarawak, Malaysia

An insightful study to uncover barriers hindering women’s active engagement in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) was conducted by UiTM lecturer aiming to gain an understanding of the challenges they faced. The study employed a qualitative research method through in-depth interviews with 36 participants using thematic analysis within the context of social participation from various NGOs in Sarawak. Four obstacles impeding women’s involvement in NGOs were identified as practical deterrents, psychological barriers, discrimination, and prejudice, as well as lack of resources, which paints a clear picture of the challenges women encounter while participating in civil society. It provides new insights into the multifaceted aspects of Sarawak women’s social participation in NGOs enabling stakeholders to seek and develop more tailored strategies to empower women, letting them to engage and be influential in NGOs. This study bridged the gap and contributed to the gender equality agenda by highlighting the importance of women’s active participation in all aspects of society despite the scarcity of research on NGOs’ social participation, especially the non-political.

https://ideas.repec.org/p/gtr/gatrjs/gjbssr618.html

UiTM New Deputy Vice–Chancellor of Academic and International

Professor Datin Dr Suzana Sulaiman, a highly accomplished academic and a professor at the UiTM Faculty of Accounting. With a PhD in Management Accounting from the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom, a Chartered Accountant, a Fellow of Chartered Management Accountant (FCMA) in the UK, a member of Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA), and Chartered Accountant (CA) with the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA), her expertise has earned her the distinction of being a Council Member of MIA and a member of the Research Committee of CIMA (UK), making her the first academic member from Asia. With over 30 years of experience in academia, her various leadership roles at the university and active involvement in research and consultancy have led to her receiving two CIMA UK Research Excellence Awards in 2021. She was appointed as the Assistant Vice–Chancellor for the UiTM Institute of Quality and Knowledge Advancement (InQKA) before assuming the position of Deputy Vice–Chancellor (Academic and International) on March 1, 2022, as announced by the Ministry of Higher Education. Her appointment as one of the university’s Executive Management is a testament that UiTM is pushing the global agenda of sustainable development in empowering women through her professional leadership

Women Inclusivity Among UiTM Members

Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) has developed and offered an extensive list of various subjects using the Open Learning Platform which is accessible to the public. UiTM also developed Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) to deliver learning content online to any person who wants to take a course at no charge, with no limit on attendance.

Another Woman Leadership in UiTM

Professor Dr Azizah Abdullah was appointed as the new Assistant Vice–Chancellor of UiTM Institute of Quality and Knowledge Advancement (InQKA) on May 1, 2022, after serving as an academic administrator since 2017. Her background in accounting and extensive research experience in areas like Corporate Governance, Risk Management, Corporate Social Responsibility, Ethics, and Accountability have brought vast knowledge and expertise to her new role. Professor Dr Azizah has demonstrated her commitment to quality assurance and academic excellence, making her well-suited for this leadership position within the institution.

Whistleblower Protection Policy

The University Executive Council (MEU) of UiTM has approved the application of the Whistleblower Protection Policy of Universiti Teknologi MARA on December 18, 2019. With reference to Circular No. 20 Year 2020, the MEU has approved the establishment of the Information Evaluation Committee in the MEU Meeting No. 9/2020 on April 8, 2020. The university is committed to developing a culture of openness and honesty where anyone who is aware of any potential irregularities or misconduct is encouraged to report the matter, in good faith, without fear nor retaliation. The enforcement of this Policy will ensure that every individual in the university is free to exercise his/her right to report/disclose misconduct or any suspicion of misconduct.

https://integriti.uitm.edu.my/images/pekeliling/ Bil202020_Pekeliling_Naib_Canselor.pdf